By University of Illinois College of Agricultural, Consumer and Environmental Sciences July 31, 2015

A new study from U of I researchers and other collaborators, recently published in PLOS One, reports the creation of such a model--a genetically engineered pig that allows researchers to induce the development of the same types of tumors seen in humans, reflecting the gene pathways and gene mutations most often observed in human cancer.

The weather generally remained warmer than average through the report week, as much as 4° Fahrenheit above normal. The warmest temperatures were felt from Texas up through the Midwest, with heat and humidity moving east through the report week.

Researchers from the University of Sydney have painted the most detailed picture to date of major infectious diseases shared between wildlife and livestock, and found a huge gap in knowledge about diseases which could spread to humans. Published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (PNAS), the world-first study has found that just 10 diseases account for around 50 percent of all published knowledge on diseases at the wildlife-livestock interface. It is based on an analysis of almost 16,000 publications spanning the last century.

Far from the idyllic country roads featured in folk songs, the nation’s rural transportation system needs vast improvements, according to a report recently released by TRIP, a national non-profit transportation research group. The report looked at the condition, use and safety of the nation’s rural roads, highways and bridges. With significant deficiencies, a lack of safety features and fatal traffic crash rates significantly higher than all other roads and highways, travel on rural roads and bridges is bumpy, to say the least.

By Philip Seng, president and CEO U.S. Meat Export Federation July 30, 2015

The U.S. red meat industry has achieved outstanding export growth in recent years, enhancing profitability for all members of the supply chain. In 2014, both beef exports ($7.13 billion) and pork exports ($6.67 billion) shattered previous records for export value. Beef exports have steadily increased in value in each of the 11 years since global markets began to reopen after the first U.S. case of BSE. For pork, export value has increased in 15 of the past 20 years.

Lacy Jo Barrett shared a PIGture with her home raised Duroc, Big John. She said the show crowds fell in love with him at the World Pork Expo. Lacy considers Big John one of the greats she has shown throughout her show career.